Eamonn

I have seen Trails End in cans that support other organizations. As I have said I see the need for product sales to support the Council and in our case we need the money. We need the money each and every year. My only fear is that our relationship with one vendor might not be such a good thing. Some years back a pal of mine managed to get a contract with Sears. He manufactured switches, that were used on some of the electric hand tools.Things were good, business was good. He hired more people, borrowed money to build a bigger building and then Sears didn't renew the contract. The poor guy nearly lost his house. At present I think about 60% from the sale of popcorn goes back to in some way to the local council. They don't get to keep that 60%. There are prizes and commission to be taken out.What would happen if Trails End decided that only 50% was going to go back? Are we too close to the company that cutting all ties with them would be just too painful? If we have DE's that are hired on a grant from the popcorn company, isn't this going to cloud our judgment? A local ski resort in an effort to support local breweries tried a few years ago to sell only beer that was brewed from three local breweries, not selling any Budweiser or Coors products. The local beers were good but just didn't sell as well as the national beers. Soon the ski resort returned to selling the national brands. Are we heading in that direction? Are we becoming too dependent on Trails End? Eamonn.

At the Friday night camp fire all the Scouts who have earned a merit badge or are about ready to advance a rank are recognized at camp. The Scout can be presented with the merit badge at the next troop meeting and then recognized again at the COH, where the blue card could be presented. No rule says that we only have to recognize him only at COH's. Eamonn.

Not sure if Bees Knees beats Cats whiskers. It is better then Chickens Elbows. Eamonn

Looking at the patches shown, they look really nice. I'm not so sure that they will fit on the Scout Shirt sleeve. The Jamboree troop numbers are over-sized. The Scouts attending the Jamboree are I hope, working on the design for our patch. His Nibs (OJ) informs me that the Lodge has a design for the patches that they will give to the OA members attending the Jamboree. Last time the patch all the Scouts wanted was the Blues Brothers Patch. There was also a spoof Hooters patch that seemed very popular.I never knew that there was so much interest in owls!! Eamonn.

As active as I am in Scouting, I am not active in the troop that OJ is in. This is his second troop. When he crossed over the troop he joined was a good one. The Scoutmaster, who OJ knew well from hanging out with me was a real nice guy. A firm level headed fellow, who maybe thought more about the way it should be then he did of the Scouts. But this was the troop that OJ wanted to join. The Cubmaster from the pack, who had been my Assistant Cubmaster was trying to start a new troop and he wasn't happy with OJ for not wanting to join that new troop. In fact he was none too happy with me for not pushing OJ to join. I didn't get involved because I was busy with the district and the council, but most of all because OJ asked me not to. Sad to say about two years into his Boy Scouting career, the Scoutmaster started to have problems at home. His wife felt that he was spending too much time with the troop. So he quit Scouting.Things went down hill very quickly. The troop program was replaced with Merit Badge classes. Anyone who sat through the classes was given the merit badge. The Scouts didn't even have the option of which merit badge they wanted to work on. I wasn't happy, but I didn't want to interfere. I did have the Unit Commissioner have a word. OJ came home one night and said that he didn't feel that he had earned all the merit badges that he had. I felt really bad. I know that he had heard me going on about how troop 150 was abusing the merit badge program(One ASM was the counselor for 42 or 43 merit badges) It was all well and good for me wearing my district hat to moan and groan. It wasn't OK for me to put down a Scoutmaster in front of a child. That is not teaching respect. OJ, asked if he could transfer to troop 160. It was his choice. He thought that they had a better outdoor program. I think Scout Troops should be like restaurants. There should be one on every corner, catering to the needs and tastes of different groups and interests. I think keeping a Lad in a troop in which he isn't happy is not a good idea. It would be a wonderful world if all the Scoutmasters in the world were trained and following the good words in all the good books. But that isn't the case. Even the better troops have flaws. Leaders have failings. Troop Committees have misinformation and are at times off track. Still all these people are trying. They give up their time. If only for that we as parents owe them something. I think that we owe them respect and ought to go out of our way not to put them down in front of our kids. OJ, still has friends in his old troop, he still is polite to the adults in the troop and does at times mention the things that they did that impressed him as being good. So when the time is right it is important not to dwell in a negative past but move on into a positive future. We as adults have to learn to play nice. Eamonn

I for one don't have a problem if Scouting for all, were offered the same deal. But then it really makes no never mind to me. I live in Pennsylvania. I think Dyana Mason is right when she says that she has "Bigger Fish to fry." Someone else said that their State also had a Boy Scout plate. Was it Alaska? Eamonn.

I am all for supporting the Council and I'm aware that Popcorn and the popcorn sale is in some and the council that has me vital to make ends meet. My point has more to do with having all the eggs in one basket then anything else. What would happen if the BSA had a falling out with the popcorn people. I met with some of the people from Trails End a few years ago when the Ideal Year of Scouting first came along. As a District Commish at the time my thinking was anything that made the units look at making a budget has to be a good thing. Having said that I wasn't over the moon when I heard that all of our DE's had to drive to a nearby Council to get trained in popcorn sales. They came back saying it was a waste of time and astonished that there is a can of popcorn that sells for $50.00. I am a cookie man myself and rarely if ever eat the popcorn. Eamonn.

OJ is off to NOAC later this month. While looking into the best way for him to carry his money (At one time it was mine.) We came across a Visa card for kids. It isn't a credit card, more a pre-charged debit card. I can load it up to $250.00 from my computer and keep track of where he is spending the money. It is accepted everywhere Visa is accepted and he can take money out from an ATM. Needless to say he thinks that he is the Cats Whiskers. Eamonn.

Thank You 9muckraker7 (I know that I'm being nosy - But what's the story behind the name?) You have proved that my dear pal Unc. can be wrong. He must have me mixed up with another Eamonn. Eamonn

While hunting for information on something else I came across a Council Web site, that was stressing the "Ideal Year Of Scouting" As I read further it said that Trails End has given a grant to pay for a Quality Unit District Executive. I have never heard of such a position.Is it new? What do they do that is different from a plain DE? At present the relationship between the BSA and Trails End is good. I'm not sure if maybe it's becoming to good? Eamonn.

How about inviting some of the Camp Staff as guests of honor? Maybe the PLC could plan a song or a skit to highlight all the fun everyone had. To late for this year but I have seen troops that keep a Camp Diary. Each day someone new takes over Scouts and Leaders all take a turn at it. Then the MC(The Scribe?)at the COH reads it in a very light hearted way. Eamonn.

Thanks Laurie, It seems that my Wood Badge Cubmaster was in the know. Good job that the Camp Inspector didn't know this or I would have been for the high jump. Eamonn.

While serving as Assistant District Commissioner for Cub Scouts our Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner moved away from the area. I stepped in until we could find a replacement.Using the Program Helps and the books from National it turned out to be a lot of fun. The Cub Scout Leaders had a lot of fun, really got into participating. The meetings were full of action and singing. It was a very rewarding experience. Time past and I became the District Commissioner and we lost our Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner. So yet again I stepped in. I bought all the books that national put out. They were no where near as good as the Cub Scout material. Then there were the Scout Leaders. It was like Deer in the headlights. This bunch just sat there. It is fair to say that most of our Scoutmasters have been around since Baden Powell was a boy . Trying to get them involved was like pulling teeth. Sad to say some of these old boys, who are really nice fellows think that the methods of Scouting are all well and good and have tried them once - A long time ago, and that book stuff is OK - It just don't work. In time we found a new RT Commissioner. Last time I looked in at a meeting. There they were sat sitting there. The new RT Commissioner must have given up. The only thing that I seen going on was that they were discussing up coming events. I have to admit that I got caught up in the enthusiasm of and from the Cub Scout Leaders, which I didn't get from the Boy Scout Leaders. I also found the Cub Scout material easier to work with. But is what I saw the norm? Eamonn.

I have never seen in black and white where there is an age for fire lighting. However when I took the old Cub Scout Wood Badge at Hawk Mountain, we were informed by the Cubmaster that as we were "Cub Scouts" we were not allowed to have a fire at our Den Camp site and this was the reason why the Cub Scout course participants didn't cook on the course. I think this might be one of them there Scouting myths and legends. During my term as a Day Camp program director the Cub Scouts did make twists over an open wood fire. We had a lot of adult supervision. To be really honest the mixing of the flour and the other ingredients caused more of a headache then the fire did. We had some very sticky well floured little fellows. Eamonn.

Try: http://www.scouting.org/jamboree/guidebooks Hope this helps. Eamonn

Welcome to the Forum. Sorry to hear about the fire. There are plans for a patrol table and food chest in the Jamboree Troop Leaders Guide. You can get there by going to the BSA web site. Eamonn.

Thanks for the nice words. Also Congratulations to Hops- Scout. I think this was a great move and I know that Hops will do an outstanding job. As for my defending DE's. They are fine until they grow up and become Field Directors. Eamonn.

In light of the changes that have been made to the forum I have decided to return. I would very much like to thank all the people who E-mailed me or send me private messages. I have to admit that when I seen " From the words of great Eamonn" In capital letters on the top of this thread. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. However in the light of all the changes that have happened I feel sure that 9muckraker7 intended The Great Eamonn as a compliment.This being the case I feel bad about thinking ill of him. As to the old posting about Bob White I still stand by every word that I posted. Eamonn

While I feel that there are in these forums a lot of good people who are really doing their best to serve the youth that we care so much about. It seems to me that the tone of the forum has gone down to such a level that I no longer wish to be part of it. I am OK with people disagreeing with each other. However, these past few weeks it seems that name calling and insults along with Threads that are bordering on stupidity have become the norm. Free speech is fine. Still this was a forum for Scouter's to discuss Scouting and Scout related topics.As members who are Scouter's the Scout Oath and Law is our guide. This to my mind is no longer the case. From what I have seen lately trying to hurt and insult others has taken over. So it is time to go. Many thanks to those who have become my friends and those who have disagreed with me in a civil way. You have done a lot to broaden my vision and my outlook. I can already hear some who post here calling me names. That's fine I no longer care. Good-Bye. Eamonn.

I have many good friends in the UK, who serve at different levels. From the everyday unit leader to those who serve on the governing body of UK Scouting. While the changes have shown a slight increase in membership the numbers are still sad. Sad even though the starting age can be as low as five and a half. Sad even though Girls are permitted to join some Troops. Districts are being eliminated, County lines are being redrawn. Camp sites are being sold off. I have all the books on the new programs and there is a lot of really good ideas, some of which I would love to see cross the pond. But change just for the sake of change is never a good idea. I have looked at their new training and the training modules and I am not impressed. Sure they have a new uniform. But you have to have had tried Scouting in the one it replaced. It just didn't work. Not to mention the very high cost. I don't agree, but I think that it has already been said in these forums that the new one looks too much like a Fast Food Company uniform. We have also in these forums discussed not only asking the youth members, but also who and which youth ought to be asked. I don't have any idea what the BSA may have in the works. I do feel whatever it is or isn't will be done in the best interest of and for American youth. Eamonn PS. My old District and County will go this year.

I feel sure that everyone in this forum would agree that what this Lad did was wrong. I was looking over the book that new drivers get from Penn dot(PA Department of Transportation)OJ is counting the hours till he get his permit. In the book it says that a party where underage drinking is allowed will cost the home owner $1,000 for the first teen drinker and $2,500 for every other underage drinker.A party for 17 teenagers could cost $41,000. I don't know how well off the Paula family are? I sure as heck would hate to write a check for $41,000. I have been to gatherings where children have asked an adult for a taste of their adult beverage and seen foolish adults give it to them. Only recently I was talking to a Lady who said that her 13 year old had come home drunk, but she didn't say anything as at the time both her and her husband were drunk. There are boys in Scouting who come from families like this and some of these Lads against all odds reach the rank of Eagle. Their climb without the parental support can be so much harder then the Lad from the middle class loving home. Sure our expectations from Scouts in general is higher then what might be expected from non-Scouts, let alone a Lad who is an Eagle Scout. Still we in this forum don't know the boy, we don't know his parents or anything about his home life. It is all too easy for us to pass judgment and pass sentence. But I for one really do know squat. Eamonn

Going back into the Dark Ages, when I was a Scout. I didn't attend a High School that was in our area.I am almost sure that none of the boys that I went to school with were in Scouting. At School there seemed to be 3 main groups. The Bad Group. These were the people who for one reason or another always seemed to be in some kind of trouble.Drugs may have played a part in this. But I think everyone expected them to do something wrong and they were looking for it. Sad to say even though some of these people were bright, always being in trouble prevented them from reaching their full potential. Of course being stoned half the time wasn't much help either. Then there were those that were just there. They didn't ever seem to be involved with any of the stuff that was going on. It was almost as if they were serving their time. The third group, were the kids that really enjoyed their time. These were the kids in too all the stuff that was going on. We were there to grab every minute by the scruff of the neck and enjoy every second of it. I was in group three. We were the kids in the school plays, the students on the Student Council, we played sports. We had fun. Sure the Bad Group, seemed to be envious of us and at times this led to teasing and confrontation. The kids in group two were too busy doing nothing to do anything else. I have in past posting retold how the re-birth of the troop came about with two Lads coming into the Scout HQ.And kicking a soccer ball around. I'm not sure if it was by accident or by design that as the troop grew it was with a lot of the Lads that would seem to come from the Bad Group. I was for a while a regular at the Juvenile Court appearing as a character wittiness, when some of these Lads got back into trouble. I remember well having to take a group back into a near by town,from where we were camped at summer camp so they could return the stuff that they had shoplifted. Visiting parents when the family home was an apartment in the flats(Projects) When I was the only non black face was at first a little daunting. As I got to know them better and going back for parties, where the bass from the Reggae music felt that it was drilling a hole in your insides was fun add. Sharing a curry in the home of some of the Indian and Pakistani Scouts was fun. These were the kids that when I was a kid gave Scouting a bad rap. I wasn't the greatest of Scoutmasters. I was at that time having a bad time dealing with my ego. Still I like to think that each of these Lads knew that I cared. I made the time to visit them at home. I got to know their parents. I knew that I had to make the first step and visit them, they weren't going to come to me. If a Lad missed more the a couple of meetings he knew that my size 9 shoes would be on his doorstep. Word and mouth is a great form of advertisement. The rap can be bad, but with a little bit of hard work that rap can be changed into a good rap and work for us. Eamonn.

I know that I ought to spin off now, we are a long way from jkny's question. In fact that's what I'll do. Eamonn.

Can't help thinking that I'm missing something. I understand Team Development. So I have that part. I understand that we are all doing what we can to support the units and the youth in the units.I like to think that I have a fair idea of what we all are doing as part of the Big Picture.(The Big Picture as laid out in the vision and mission statements of the BSA.) My point is that we have different teams that while working toward the same vision and the same mission have different goals. Sure I can bring in the Tiger Den Leader to be part of the Troop leadership team. But by doing so I am not really helping the troop and I sure as heck am putting a hurting on the Tiger Cub Den. Just as it is wrong for a unit leader to be a Commissioner. In the book of Eamonn how can a District Committee serve the units if the District Committee is taking the leaders away from the units? Keeping on that track: Does the Adult Leadership in a Crew need to know who the Tiger Den Leader is? Sure there may be times when something is going on that might involve the Tiger Den Leader and the Crew Adviser,but that would be out of the ordinary. Just as a Chartering Organization should select the best people to serve as leaders in their Scouting programs. The District and Council working with the nominating committees should select the best people to serve them. I am guilty of being very flippant when I said that I didn't care less about older Scouters. If someone takes the time to ask me a question I will do my best to answer it. At times I have been known to defend the answer. There have been times when someone has brought something to me and I have presented it at the next level where it may have been voted on and I, maybe because I didn't put the point across well enough or maybe others thought that whatever it was, wouldn't work or was wrong. Sure I hate to lose, but we move on. There have been times when I have argued in committee with some of my closest friends. At the end they might win or I might win and yes sure enough we have been known to re-argue it all over again in the parking lot or at the club. Still we are gracious losers, we move on and make whatever it was work. We do this in part because we are nice people and mostly because we love this organization and always come back to serving the end user - The Kids. Eamonn

I remember my brother who is 4 years older then me getting ready for Scouts and thinking how neat that was. I remember my mother taking me to the local department store to buy my first uniform. It had some really strange system of vacuum tubes. The Wolf Cub uniform was a green wool sweater. Boy did it itch. Eamonn.